Because we're playing with MUCH better energy on the defensive end. It took us awhile but we're starting to get back into the flow. Burke is much more active at the point on defense and our rotations are lightyears better than they were at the beginning of the game when we were giving Richardson wide open looks at the basket.

Man I cannot stand the every 4 minute timeouts it chops up the game so bad. Really bad when a coach call a Timeout 1 second before the time out then they have the under 8 timeout literally 1 play later.

That's not the point. The team looks slow, clumsy, and confused. And it's not an isolated incident, we've been playing like this all month. It would be nice to see us come out with some energy from the tip, and, dare I say it, take a lead and command the game.

When we have been taking shots, it's been more or less in line with a typical performance, which is fine. The somewhat disappointing stat is this - 2 offensive rebounds in the half. No blocks either, and although we don't get too many on average, a few might be key in the second half. The defense looks markedly better with Morgan in there, and it was nice to see Albrecht bring it too.

We've got to box out. Come on guys, it's a basic basketball fundamental. Standing around and then trying to jump over people is not only causing us to give up a lot of boards, we're also fouling a lot in the process.

At this point I've seen enough to know the team has lost the edge it had earlier in the season. Even if we win this game, there's no reason why it should even be close with Illinois and PSU if the team played with the early season intensity. I stand by my assertion that the UW buzzer beater broke the team. That said, the last few games have seen waaay to many bounces even after good places go against us.

But, from the 6 games or so that I have seen this year, we don't look good. We make a lot of sloppy mistakes like throwing the ball out of bounds. Where the hell is our rebounding? Why don't we try to score in the paint ever? You would think we would try to get those high percentage shots!

I may be wrong as I am not a big fan of the sport, but to me, we just don't look good.

I can't start a thread, but I'm trying to spread the word as much as possible. Myself and other students at UofM have teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Michigan Foundation to create the first annual Make-A-Wish fundraising challenge against students at MSU. The competition starts this week and continues until March 3rd, the day of the State game. All proceeds that we raise go toward granting wishes of kids at Mott Hospital, while the money MSU raises goes towards kids at Sparrow Hospital. We could use as much help as possible! You can donate online or visit one of our booths this week at Angel Hall or next to the Towsley Center at UofM hospital. If you donate at the booths you get a free maize wristband as a thank you.

For more information, you can visit our facebook page and watch promotional videos from Lloyd Carr and Mateen Cleaves. Or you can directly visit our Make-A-Wish site and learn more about this competition and the Make-A-Wish foundation in general.

J-Mo's more consistent, but when we need McGary to run around, get boards and play with his hair on fire, he does that.

McGary is still a year away from learning how to control the game, he only knows ONE speed. Which isn't a bad. It's a lot easier to get a guy to slow down and play with pace, than to play with the energy McGary plays with.

It wasn't a knock on GRIII, just thought we need to get tougher. Love GRIII's newfound energy. He needs to play with this energy all game. No the steals and the dunks, just the active play. He's too good to be "just another guy."